CWS Rep. Gardiola Faces Malversation Charges Over Government Contracts

The Office of the Ombudsman in the Philippines is set to file over 20 counts of malversation complaints against CWS party-list Representative Edwin Gardiola. Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced that his office will file two sets of cases for preliminary investigation against Gardiola, who is both a congressman and a contractor. "He had dealings while he was in Congress. Iyong hindi dapat ginagawa ng isang congressman ay ginawa niya," Remulla stated in a press conference, referring to actions that a lawmaker should not have undertaken. Remulla clarified that Gardiola's alleged actions violate anti-graft laws that prohibit public officials from having financial interests in firms involved in government contracts. "It's conflict of interest," he added. The Ombudsman further noted that Gardiola is facing a non-bailable offense due to the nature of the malversation charges. GMA News Online is attempting to reach out to Representative Gardiola for comment on the Ombudsman's statements.